Reality Check

Reality Check

So sorry now: I would like to thank Jennifer Mathieu for her article [“Reality TV Bites,” September 5] and apologize to the Walters and others for ever having watched this kind of show.

I was shocked to learn that the Walters did not have an opportunity to decline having their story aired, especially in light of their tragedy.

This article brought home to me the “reality” in reality television. I wasn’t just watching how doctors and nurses treat patients, but viewing people’s pain and losses all within the comfort of my home.

I hope this article has awakened others like me to the fact that what we do, say and even watch on TV can have an effect upon others as well as ourselves.

Kimberly Cates
Dickinson

Brotherly love: As a person who was filmed for the last year and a half by the Houston Medical crew, I was disappointed to see such a shallow, one-sided article covering the show. My sister, Marnie Rose, was filmed constantly, but the cameras never interfered and never filmed her against her will. They respected her privacy and would leave if requested.

I feel for the Walters but find it strange that they were willing to invite the cameras into their home months after the “intensive care” footage. That does not fit their story about how the show was just a documentary about doctors.

My sister was an inspiration to millions of people fighting cancer and disease because of Houston Medical. Unfortunately, that doesn’t seem to be a worthy enough story for your trashy journalism. Thanks for sullying a show that moved millions. Take the time to read some of the letters from www.savehoustonmedical.com and see for yourself.

Darren Rose
Houston

Sue the sideshow: Angry! I rarely get as stirred up as Jennifer Mathieu’s article on the Walters’ experience with Houston Medical stirred me. This takes the car-accident rubbernecking phenomenon to a whole new level. Sure, humans love drama and they love to be entertained, but Houston Medical changed drama and entertainment to an absolute coldhearted, moneymaking sideshow that involved real tragedy with real people.

Should the tables have been turned and it was them or one of their loved ones, would they have aired that show? Not likely.

I watch The Learning Channel’s Maternity Ward and the other life-related emergency room programs. Those people live! I’m sure they tape some that eventually pass away, but they certainly do not air the deaths — at least not that I’ve ever seen.

The makers of Houston Medical should be sued! I’m a longtime defense-side legal secretary and am opposed to frivolous lawsuits, but I believe they are proper when the bad guy needs to be taught a valuable lesson. I believe this is one of those instances.

Go get ’em, Walters! And thanks to the Press for running what the network-kissing others wouldn’t.

Pamela Miller
Houston

Innocents Lost?

Kmart raid was justified: I guess Margaret Downing is willing to take those affected by the recent Kmart parking-lot raid at their word that they were just there to watch some drag racing or hang out [“Myths and Legends,” September 5].

Certainly I believe that a few of those arrested were doing nothing more than shopping or eating at Sonic. But not all of them — no way, no how. I used to live down the street, and I witnessed firsthand that kids/young adults hang out there at night to engage in several illegal activities such as underage alcohol consumption, pot smoking and disturbing the peace.

Am I glad the police got out of control and arrested everyone there? Hell, no.

Am I glad that they broke up the out-of-control nuisance that was going on for years in that parking lot? Hell, yes.

Next time they do this, I hope they handle things right and arrest these jerks for what they’re actually doing, not just haul in everyone in sight. These were not just kids hanging around having innocent fun.

C. Hutts
Stafford

HPD blame game: I personally believe that the mass arrests in the Kmart/Sonic parking lot were just plain old bad police work and above all just plain wrong. However, in the chaos that followed the mass arrival of HPD that night, there could not have been any way for HPD to sort out who was innocent and who was less-than-innocent (well, aside from those parked at the speaker stands at Sonic with burgers hanging out of their mouths).

However, after reading your previous profile on Captain Mark Aguirre [“The War Within,” by Richard Connelly, June 27], I have come to the only logical conclusion. HPD does not like Captain Aguirre [“HPD Blue,” by George Flynn, May 30]. The officers at the scene, despite their knowledge of the law with regard to this type of action, went along with the arrests only because they knew they could step back later and say “Aguirre made me do it” if public reaction was critical.

And that’s exactly what they did. From Chief “I didn’t know what was going on” Bradford on down, HPD took a step back and said, “Don’t blame us, blame him.”

Unfortunately, the “damage control” has tarnished the reputation of the department far more than the actual arrests. HPD should be above all reproach; until now I believed it was.

Tim Lankford
Houston

Give ’em a break: I really enjoyed your article. People need to remember we were young at one time and liked to hang out with our friends, too. As long as there is no violence, drugs or alcohol, let the kids enjoy their youth for as long as they can, because one day they will grow up and have something good to look back on — it’s called memories!

Christel Cook
Houston